“Rotary International and the Gates Foundation have shown tremendous, steadfast leadership in working to end polio,” stated Rogers. “I am honored to receive this award and stand with Rotary, one of our world’s premier civic volunteer groups, in fighting this dreadful disease and giving children everywhere a healthy future. We are very close to defeating polio once and for all.”

Rotary International established the Polio Eradication Champion Award in 1995 to honor heads of state and others who have made a significant global contribution to ending polio. Since 1985, polio eradication has been a top priority for Rotary International and members have donated countless hours and over $1 billion to help immunize more than 2 billion children in 122 countries. While there is not cure for polio, a child can be protected against the disease for life for as little as 60 cents. Mass immunization campaigns have reduced the number of polio cases from 350,000 annually in the mid-1980s, to fewer than 700 cases in 2011.